You're Dead to Me Printing in England (Radio Edit)
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Oct 11, 2024 Dr. Lydia Zeldenrust, a Middle English literature expert, and Robin Ince, a comedian and broadcaster, delve into the fascinating origins of printing in England. They discuss William Caxton's groundbreaking work in 1474 and how it shaped literary culture. The conversation reveals the surprising content of Caxton's first book and compares mythological tales to modern franchises like Marvel. They also explore the transformative effects of printing on society, including literacy and language standardization, laced with humor and historical insights.
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Caxton's Background
- William Caxton, a successful merchant, became governor of English merchants in Flanders (1462).
- Exiled in Cologne, he encountered printing and brought it to England.
Printing's Origins
- Printing, originating in 7th-century China (woodblock) and 11th-century China (movable type), predates Gutenberg.
- The oldest surviving metal-type book is a 1377 Korean Buddhist text.
First Remaindered Books
- In 1472, two German printers in Rome miscalculated demand, resulting in 12,475 unsold books.
- This marked an early instance of remaindered books.
